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Abstract:

The present invention relates to a retractable striker (1) and a vehicle
seat for a vehicle with a retractable striker (1), wherein the
retractable striker (1) is arranged on a seat structure (8), wherein the
retractable striker (1) is at least partly retractable into the seat
structure (8).

Claims:

1. Vehicle seat for a vehicle with a retractable striker, wherein the
retractable striker is arranged on a seat structure, wherein the
retractable striker is at least partly retractable into the seat
structure.

2. Vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the retractable striker is
prestressed by a spring into a protruding position.

3. Vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the retractable striker is
located movably in a guide sleeve.

4. Vehicle seat according to claim 3 wherein the retractable striker is
movable by an actuation means.

5. Vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein an expanding element is
arranged between the retractable striker and the actuation means.

6. Vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized in that the expanding
element is a spring.

7. Vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein the retractable striker is
movable by a movement of the seat.

8. Vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the retractable striker is
arranged on the backrest.

9. Vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein the backrest is connectable
with a car body by the retractable striker.

11. Vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the retractable striker is
movable by a movement of the backrest of the seat.

12. Vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein the backrest is divisible
into segments.

13. Vehicle seat according to claim 12 wherein the segments of the
backrest are connectable with each other by the retractable striker.

14. Vehicle seat according to claim 12 wherein the backrest is
connectable with a car body by the retractable striker and the segments
of the backrest are connectable with each other by the retractable
striker.

Description:

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/248,552 (filed Oct. 5, 2009),
and 61/260,561 (filed Nov. 12, 2009), and the entirety of the contents of
this application being hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a striker and a seat with a
striker, which is arranged on a structure for a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Such a striker and such a seat are known in the prior art, wherein
strikers are used for example to connect a backrest with a car body or a
car body to a backrest or to connect a segment of the backrest with the
car body or to connect segments of the backrest with each other.

[0004] Furthermore such strikers can also be positioned on a cushion part
of the seat for example to connect the cushion part with the car body or
to connect a segment of the cushion part with the car body or to connect
segments of the cushion part with each other.

[0005] Seats according to the prior art have the disadvantage that
protruding strikers are obstacles and therefore dangerous for passengers,
e.g. if these strikers are arranged on the backrest of the seat and the
backrest is folded forward.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a seat
without the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved by a retractable striker and a seat with a
retractable striker that is arranged on a seat structure for a vehicle,
wherein the retractable striker is at least partly or fully retracted
into the seat structure. The seat structure on which the retractable
striker is mounted can either be a backrest or a cushion part of the
seat.

[0008] The seat according to the present invention is a seat that can be
used by at least one person. Especially it is possible to use this seat
as a bench seat for more than one person. This seat comprises a cushion
part and a backrest.

[0009] It is possible according to the present invention that the backrest
can be divided into several segments. Especially the whole backrest or
one or more segments of the backrest are foldable from a first position
to alternative positions. For example, the first position is a driving
position, in which passengers may be seated on the seat. Furthermore it
is possible that the second position is a storage position. In this
storage position the backrest or one or more segments of the backrest are
folded onto the cushion part. Preferably the backrest is movable into one
or more sittable positions. Preferably the backrest is movable into a
"normal" sittable position and into a leaned back and therefore
comfortable sittable position. Preferably the backrest is movable into
one or more second positions. Preferably the cushion part is movable into
one or more positions.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the
storage position can be provided such that the cushion part is moved
upward toward the backrest. Especially in the first position, the
backrest or the cushion part can be connected by the retractable striker
with the car body or the segments of the backrest/cushion part are
connected with each other by the retractable striker and a counterpart
for the retractable striker.

[0011] According to the present invention the retractable striker is at
least partly retractable into the seat structure or other structure, so
that the retractable striker is not an obstacle to a passenger or an
operator.

[0012] The retractable striker can be made of any material. Preferably the
retractable striker is made of a metal or a strong material with energy
absorbing characteristics like steel. More preferably the retractable
striker is shaped in the form of a U, hook, notched rod, etc. According
to the present invention, the leg(s) of the retractable striker can be of
different or similar length.

[0013] Preferably the retractable striker comprises a spring or retraction
device, wherein the retraction device presents the retractable striker
into a protruding position, wherein in this protruding position the
retractable striker is engaged with a counterpart. This means that the
retraction device is pretensioned to move the retractable striker from
its retracted position towards its protruding position in case the
retraction device is released.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment the retractable striker comprises a stop
member, wherein the stop member defines the protruding position.

[0015] More preferably the retractable striker is provided movably in a
guide sleeve or in a plurality of guide sleeves, especially one guide
sleeve for each of the legs of the retractable striker. More preferably
the leg(s) of the retractable striker, especially the long leg in case of
the retractable-striker having leg(s) of different length (long leg and
short leg), is provided movably in the guide sleeve. The guide sleeve
guides the retractable striker while moving from the protruding position
into the retracted position and from the retracted position into the
protruding position.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention
the retractable striker comprises an actuation means, i.e. a cable or
other device. The retractable striker is movable from the protruding
position into the retracted position by this actuation means. The
actuation means can be used manually or by an actuator or by a motor.

[0017] Between the retractable striker and the actuation means an
expanding element is preferably provided, especially a spring. The
expanding element prevents passengers, especially children, from being
hurt when the retractable striker is moved from the protruding position
into the retracted position.

[0018] Preferably the retractable striker is movable by a movement of the
seat structure e.g. by a movement of the backrest or by a movement of the
cushion part. More preferably the retractable striker is automatically
retracted when the seat structure is moved from the first position
towards the second position. For example, if the backrest is folded into
a second position, the retractable striker is retracted; the retractable
striker is automatically moved into a protruding position when the
backrest is moved into a sittable or upright first position.

[0019] According to the present invention, the retractable striker is
lockable or latchable in at least one first position of the seat
structure, especially the backrest. In case the backrest is latchable
(with the retractable striker being in the protruding position) in two or
more different first positions (hereinafter also called "first position"
and "further first position") then it can be advantageous that the
retractable striker is retracted while moving the seat structure past one
of the two first positions, e.g. past the first position in order to
arrive at the further first position. This is preferably the case when
the first position is provided in between the second position (in which
the retractable striker is in its retracted position) and the further
first position. The retraction of the retractable striker when passing
the first position (in order to be moved to the further first position)
can be realized by any means (e.g. manually or electrically or any other
way). By means of such a retraction movement of the striker, it is
possible according to this embodiment of the present invention to pass
the first position on the way of the seat structure to the further first
position. After the seat structure passed the first position (i.e.
retractable striker passed the latching means corresponding to the first
position), the retractable striker is protruded into protruding position
(preferably by spring means) to be latched in the further first position.
The first position can be any position in which the retractable striker
is latchable. i.e. any storage or sittable or comfort position of the
backrest. Also the further first position can be any position in which
the retractable striker is latchable. i.e. any storage or sittable or
comfort position or more comfortable position of the backrest. This
retractibility is principally as well realizable for the seat cushion in
the same way and therefore not described here.

[0020] In the description of the present invention the first position of
the backrest or the seat cushion is one or more position in which the
backrest or the seat cushion can be latched, locked or otherwise fixed
using the retractable striker. In this context the second position of the
backrest or the seat cushion is one or more position in which the
retractable striker is retracted into the seat structure.

[0021] In the following the invention is explained using FIG. 1 to FIG.
15. The explanations are only exemplary and do not limit the scope of the
present invention.

[0022] FIGS. 1a and 1b show each a schematic illustration of a seat. In
the upper illustration (FIG. 1a) a front view and in the lower
illustration (FIG. 1b) a back view of the seat with a backrest 11 and a
trim 6 is shown. Additionally in the back view (FIG. 1b) the seat
structure 8 is shown. At the side of the seat a retractable striker 1 is
arranged. In this shown position the retractable striker 1 is in a
protruding position 1', i.e. the retractable striker is in its extended
position. The backrest 11 is in the (upright) sittable first position.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows schematically a front view of a part of the seat. The
retractable striker 1 is shown in the protruding position 1' and in the
retracted position 1''. In the retracted position 1'' the retractable
striker 1 is retracted into the seat system (also called seat structure
8). Preferably, even in the retracted position 1'', there is a clearance
between the trim 6 and the middle part (i.e. the part which does not
constitute the legs of the retractable striker 1) of the retractable
striker 1.

[0024]FIG. 3 shows schematically the retractable striker 1 movably guided
in a guide sleeve 2. A cable 3 is connected with the retractable striker
1 at a connector plate 15. When the backrest 11 is folded (from the
upright first position in the direction of a (mostly forwardly) folded
second position) then the cable 3 retracts the retractable striker 1
guided by the guide sleeve 2 from the protruding position 1' towards the
seat structure 8 into the retracted position 1''.

[0025]FIG. 4 shows schematically the seat with the backrest 11 in a side
view. The backrest 11 is shown in the upright or sittable position (first
position). The backrest 11 is foldable towards a seat surface 4 or
cushion part 4 into the storage position (second position). An angle B is
the angle between the backrest 11 in upright or sittable first position
and the backrest in storage position (second position). An angle A is the
angle between the backrest 11 in first position and the backrest 11 in an
intermediate position. This intermediate position is any position between
the first position and the second position.

[0026] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show exemplarily a further embodiment of the
present invention in three schematic illustrations. The left illustration
(FIG. 5a) shows the backrest 11 with a seat back pivot 10. The backrest
11 is folded (rotated) about the seat back pivot 10. The upper circled
illustration (FIG. 5b) shows a detailed view on the connection between
the solid link 9 and the cable 3. The solid link 9 is connected to a
two-sided lever 7, which is rotated when the backrest 11 is folded into
the storage position (second position). The two-sided lever is connected
to the cable 3. The lower circled illustration (FIG. 5c) shows a detailed
view of the connection between the seat back pivot 10 and the solid link
9. The seat back pivot 10 is connected with a first pivot lever 5, which
is rotated when the backrest 11 is folded into the second position, and
the first pivot lever 5 is connected with the solid link 9. If the seat
back pivot 10 is rotated then first pivot lever 5 provides an overtravel
of the rotation. These connections using the solid link 9 with the
two-sided lever 7 and the first pivot lever 5 provide a mechanical
transmission device. This realization is advantageous because it is
easily possible to provide an overtravel of the travel of the backrest 11
from the driving position (first position) into the folded position
(second position).

[0027] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show exemplarily a further embodiment of the
present invention in three schematic illustrations. The left illustration
(FIG. 6a) shows the backrest 11 with the seat back pivot 10. The seat
back pivot 10 is connected with a cable link 12. The cable link 12 is
connected to the cable 3. The upper circled illustration (FIG. 6b) shows
a closer view on the connection between the cable link 12 and the cable
3. When the backrest 11 is folded into second position then the cable
link 12 is pulled towards the seat back pivot 10 and retracts the cable 3
and the retractable striker 1. The lower circled illustration (FIG. 6c)
shows a closer view of the connection between the seat back pivot 10 and
the cable link 12. The seat back pivot 10 is connected with a second
pivot lever 5', which is rotated when the backrest 11 is folded into the
second position, and the second pivot lever 5' is connected with the
cable link 12. If the seat back pivot 10 is rotated then second pivot
lever 5' provides an overtravel of the rotation. This realization is
advantageous because it is easily possible to provide an overtravel of
the travel of the backrest 11 from the first position into the second
position.

[0028] FIG. 7 shows exemplarily a further embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 7 shows schematically a back view of the seat with the
seat structure 8 and the retractable striker 1 in protruding position. In
FIG. 7 the retractable striker 1 and especially legs 18', 18'' of the
retractable striker 1 are arranged at right angle related to the seat
structure 8. In other words, the main extension plane of the retractable
striker 1 is oriented orthogonal to the seat structure 8.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows exemplarily a further embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 8 shows schematically a back view of the seat with the
seat structure 8 and the retractable striker 1 in protruding position. In
FIG. 8 the retractable striker 1 and especially the legs 18', 18'' of the
retractable striker 1 are arranged parallel related to the seat structure
8. Alternatively it is possible to arrange the retractable striker 1 and
especially the legs 18', 18'' of the retractable striker 1 in any other
angle related to the seat structure 8. In other words, the main extension
plane of the retractable striker 1 is oriented parallel to the seat back.

[0030] FIG. 9 shows schematically a close front view of the seat back 11
and the retractable striker 1 in protruding position. The retractable
striker 1 and especially the legs 18', 18'' of the retractable striker 1
are arranged parallel related to the seat structure. A latch mechanism 13
is locked at the retractable striker 1. This latch mechanism 13 possibly
connects the seat with a seat segment. A latch 19 locks the leg 18'' of
the retractable striker 1. The width between the legs 18', 18'' is chosen
so the latch mechanism 13 easily locks the retractable striker 1. This
width between the legs 18', 18'' can be chosen flexibly. This flexible
arrangement makes it possible to lock the retractable striker 1 with the
latch mechanism 13 without arranging the retractable striker 1 and
especially the legs 18', 18'' of the retractable striker 1 in an angle
related to the seat back 11.

[0031] FIG. 10 shows exemplarily a further embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 10 shows schematically a close side view on the seat with
the latch mechanism 13 locked with the retractable striker 1. The
retractable striker 1 and especially the legs 18', 18'' are arranged in
an angle about 60° or any other angle related to the seat
structure, i.e. neither orthogonal nor parallel to the seat structure 8.
Alternatively it is possible to arrange the retractable striker 1 and
especially the legs 18', 18'' of the retractable striker 1 in any other
angle related to the seat structure 8. This flexible arrangement makes it
possible to lock the retractable striker 1 with the latch mechanism 13
without changing the width between the legs 18', 18'' of the retractable
striker 1.

[0032] FIG. 11 shows exemplarily a further embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 11 shows a front view of the retracting mechanism
according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The
retractable striker 1 is connected with a connector plate 15. The
connector plate 15 is connected with a striker actuation lever 14. The
striker actuation lever 14 is rotatable around a rotary axis 20.

[0033] In FIG. 12 it is shown that if the backrest 11 is folded into
second position the striker actuation lever 14 is rotated around the
rotary axis 20 and retracts the retractable striker 1 towards the seat
structure. This realization is advantageous because it is easily possible
to provide an overtravel of the travel of the backrest 11 from the first
position into the second position.

[0034] FIGS. 13 and 14 show schematically side views of a backrest
structure 17, 17', 17'' that reaches parallel to the backrest 11. For
better illustration the backrest 11 is not depicted in the FIGS. 13 and
14.

[0035] FIG. 13 shows the backrest structure in the first position 17 and
the backrest structure in an intermediate position 17'. This intermediate
position can be any position between the first position and the second
position. Folding angle 16 is the angle between the backrest structure in
the first position 17 and the backrest structure in an intermediate
position 17'.

[0036] FIG. 14 shows the backrest structure in the first position 17 and
the backrest structure in the second position 17''. Between the
intermediate position of the backrest structure 17' and the second
position 17'' the retractable striker is completely retracted.

[0037] FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of the present invention The
retractable striker 1 is shaped in the form of a U with a base and two
legs 18', 18'', wherein one of the two legs 18'. 18'' is a long leg 18'
and the other leg is a short leg 18'. The retractable striker 1 is
movably arranged in the seat structure 8 of the backrest of the seat so
that the retractable striker 1 is movable into the retracted position. In
this retracted position the base of the U is in contact with the trim 6
of the seat. When the retractable striker 1 is moved from the protruding
position into the retracted position the long leg 18' is provided movably
by a guide sleeve 2. Between a stop member 150, which limits the movement
of the retractable striker 1, and the guide sleeve 2 a spring 151 is
arranged. The spring 151 prestresses the retractable striker 1 into the
protruding position. A cable 3 is arranged at the short leg 18'' of the
retractable striker 1. The cable 3 is used to move the retractable
striker 1 from the protruding position into the retracted position. An
expanding element 152 is arranged between the retractable striker 1 and
the cable 3. The expanding element 152 prevents passengers, especially
children and their fingers, from being hurt when the retractable striker
1 is moved from protruding position into retracted position.

[0038] Additionally it is possible to combine the embodiments with each
other. For example the retracting mechanism using the striker actuation
lever 14 can be combined with the arrangement of the retractable striker
1 parallel related to the seat structure 8. But any other combinations
are possible and the examples in this description do not limit the scope
of the invention.

[0039] Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been
described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art
that other modifications variations and possibilities of the invention
are possible without departing from the broader spirit of the invention.
Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be
considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and
hence forming part of the invention as herein described and/or
exemplified.

[0040] Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in
an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense